KFC, Fried Chicken, ORIGINAL RECIPE, Thigh, meat and skin with breading
Whole food · Fast Foods
Photo: Wikipedia
A single, juicy chicken thigh from KFC's Original Recipe, coated in their signature blend of 11 herbs and spices and deep-fried to a golden, craggy crisp. The skin provides a savory, shattering crunch that gives way to tender, flavorful dark meat underneath. At 269 kcal per 100g, it's a calorie-dense, protein-rich piece of comfort food.
Calorie split: 28% protein · 13% carbs · 59% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People adore the iconic, savory crust and the juicy, flavorful dark meat that stays moist. It's a nostalgic, convenient comfort food that satisfies a deep craving for something salty, crunchy, and hearty.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high sodium, saturated fat, and refined breading can contribute to water retention and are not ideal for those monitoring heart health or blood sugar. To counteract, pair it with a large, fiber-rich side salad (skip the creamy dressing) or steamed vegetables to slow digestion and add nutrients. Practice portion control by enjoying one thigh as part of a balanced meal, not as the sole main course.
Key benefits
- High in complete protein for muscle maintenance
- Rich in iron and zinc from dark meat
- Contains B vitamins, especially niacin and B6
- Provides a quick, energy-dense meal
- Satisfies savory and umami cravings effectively
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
KFC's Original Recipe is so closely guarded that it's kept in a 770-pound safe, which is itself kept in a vault at KFC's headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 52.1 g |
| Energy | 269 kcal |
| Energy | 1125 kj |
| Protein | 18.9 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 17.7 g |
| Ash | 2.8 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 8.5 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.00 g |
| Sucrose | 0.00 g |
| Glucose | 0.00 g |
| Fructose | 0.00 g |
| Lactose | 0.00 g |
| Maltose | 0.00 g |
| Galactose | 0.00 g |
| Starch | 7.5 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 64.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.88 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 22.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 230 mg |
| Potassium, K | 237 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 781 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 1.4 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.08 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.16 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 23.5 ug |
| Thiamin | 0.09 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.26 mg |
| Niacin | 5.5 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.97 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.14 mg |
| Choline, total | 64.5 mg |
| Betaine | 7.0 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.40 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 15.0 ug |
| Retinol | 15.0 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 50.0 iu |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.77 mg |
| Tocopherol, beta | 0.02 mg |
| Tocopherol, gamma | 0.92 mg |
| Tocopherol, delta | 0.03 mg |
| Tocotrienol, alpha | 0.01 mg |
| Tocotrienol, beta | 0.17 mg |
| Tocotrienol, gamma | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, delta | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 4.1 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.09 g |
| SFA 15:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 2.9 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.96 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.04 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 24:0 | 0.01 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 8.6 g |
| MUFA 14:1 | 0.03 g |
| MUFA 15:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.75 g |
| MUFA 17:1 | 0.02 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 7.6 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.16 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.02 g |
| MUFA 24:1 c | 0.01 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 3.3 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 2.7 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.43 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:2 n-6 c,c | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 20:3 | 0.03 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.07 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:4 | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.12 g |
| Cholesterol | 104 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.14 g |
| Threonine | 0.62 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.56 g |
| Leucine | 1.2 g |
| Lysine | 0.82 g |
| Methionine | 0.27 g |
| Cystine | 0.22 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.72 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.58 g |
| Valine | 0.69 g |
| Arginine | 1.1 g |
| Histidine | 0.45 g |
| Alanine | 1.1 g |
| Aspartic acid | 1.3 g |
| Glutamic acid | 4.4 g |
| Glycine | 1.6 g |
| Proline | 1.5 g |
| Serine | 0.74 g |
| Hydroxyproline | 0.49 g |
FAQ
Is the skin included in the nutritional info?
Yes, the values are for 'meat and skin with breading,' which is the typical way it's served.
How does it compare nutritionally to grilled chicken?
Fried chicken thigh has significantly more calories, fat, and sodium than a plain grilled thigh of the same weight due to the breading and frying oil.
Is it a good source of protein?
Yes, at 18.9g per 100g, it provides a substantial amount of high-quality protein, though it comes packaged with more fat than leaner cuts.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 2.69 kcal/g · 28% calories from protein · 0.0 g fiber · 0.0 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 3.30 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.